What To Look For In Your Cleaning Products

Are you looking to switch cleaning products? There are a number of reasons people decide to trade in products they have used for years, but it usually comes down to ingredients.  Many people are not aware of the amount of toxic chemicals which are used to create even environmentally-friendly looking products. Using these toxic chemicals to clean your house can affect not only the surfaces you are cleaning, but your family and pets as well.

In order to detoxify your house and remove products that contain substances which are harmful, here are a few items to avoid.

1.  Chlorinated phenols are substances that are often found in toilet bowl cleaners.  These chemicals are toxic to the respiratory system and the circulatory system.  Different types of phenols can be found in disinfectants, and can produce the same negative effects on the respiratory and circulatory systems.  

2.  Diethylene glycol is used in many window cleaning products and it can depress the nervous system, which could decrease your breathing patterns and heart rate.

3.  Nonylphenol ethoxylate is commonly found in laundry detergents or all-purpose cleaners.  This toxin is actually banned in Europe, but can still be found in homes all over the United States.  When it biodegrades, it slowly turns into even more toxic compounds.

4.  Formaldehyde, which is a respiratory irritant and a possible carcinogen can be found in spray and wick deodorizers.

5.  Petroleum solvents found in some floor cleaners can cause damage to mucous membranes, which increases your chances for becoming ill as bacteria can freely come and go through your air passages.

6.  Perchloroethylene is often used as a spot remover, even though it can cause kidney and liver damage!

7.  Butyl cellosolve is another commonly used toxin in all-purpose cleaners and window cleaners, among others.  This chemical actually damages bone marrow, the nervous system, the liver, and the kidney.

Many of these toxins are added to cleaners in order to dissolve dirt more quickly, and no law requires a manufacturer to add an entire list of ingredients to their cleaning product labels.  At Avir, we want to make sure that your home is non-toxic, as well as perfectly clean.  That is why our enzyme products are extensively tested and are never "enhanced" with any toxic or harmful chemicals.  Detoxify your home and make it a safe place for your children, pets, and family by ensuring that the cleaning products you are using are not toxic!